Facebook CMO Antonio Lucio Is Stepping Down
In a public post on the platform, its top marketer said he's leaving to focus on DEI initiatives
Facebook’s chief marketing officer, Antonio Lucio, is leaving after two years with the social media platform.
Lucio joined the company in 2018 from HP Inc., just a few months after Facebook’s relationship to the Cambridge Analytica scandal was exposed. He leaves as Facebook faces scrutiny for hate speech on its platform and anti-competitive behavior.
In a public Facebook post today, Lucio said that he plans to devote the last chapter of his career exclusively to promoting diversity and inclusion in the world of marketing—something that’s been central to his work for decades.
“Given the historical inflection point we are in as a country regarding racial justice, I have decided to dedicate 100% of my time to diversity, inclusion and equity,” Lucio wrote. “Although these issues have been core to my personal purpose for many years and they were an important element of my work, I want to make them my sole focus.”
Lucio’s last day as top marketer for Facebook will be Sept. 18, but he “will be around through the end of the year” to ensure a smooth transition, he wrote in his post. “In leaving Facebook,” he said, “I am nothing but grateful.”
The long list of thank yous in Lucio’s statement included Facebook chief diversity officer Maxine Williams, chief product officer Chris Cox and COO Sheryl Sandberg. He also thanked CEO Mark Zuckerberg “for his curiosity, support and commitment, and for always listening attentively even when we disagreed.”
Lucio also tipped his hat to the platform’s creative network, including Facebook’s internal team as well as agencies Droga5, Wieden+Kennedy, BBDO, Leo Burnett and Ogilvy.
Facebook confirmed Lucio’s departure to Adweek, adding that it’s looking both internally and externally to fill Lucio’s role.
“Antonio did incredible work telling our story during a transformative period for the company,” a Facebook spokesperson said. “We’re grateful for his enormous contributions and wish him well in his next chapter.”
